Danny Welbeck showed on Monday night that he is a capable goal scorer, and a capable big occasion player, two characteristics he was previously criticized for lacking. We gooners are still buzzing about his game winner, which he took brilliantly. A real poachers goal that was, and to some it perhaps reopens the debate regarding who should be Arsenal’s go to striker.
Welbeck of course was preferred to Giroud in centre forward, with Wenger saying Welbeck’s pace and threat on the counter factored into his decision. Both of these things were evident throughout, as Welbeck constantly looked to stretch the United back line with runs in behind. They had a torrid time coping with him (as was evident by Ashley Young’s rugby tackle), and with Welbeck in the side Arsenal always have a pacey outlet.
Should Giroud be concerned? Yes and no.
Welbeck’s pace and willingness to run in behind adds another dimension to Arsenal’s play, as back lines are pulled and stretched to create gaps for midfielders to run into. With fellow speed merchants around him like Chamberlain and Alexis, Arsenal’s attack is frightening on the counter, and that is something not offered by Giroud (although he can play a decent ball to set up a counter).
Welbeck is also an extremely hard worker, and his willingness to press high and track from the front opens up much possibilities for the side.
Unfortunately for Danny though, it sometimes works against him as his pace and work rate make him a decent winger as well. Versatility is one of those two way traits that can work for and against a player, and in this case Welbeck perhaps falls victim to it.
He can play both, while Giroud is really only a centre forward, so the choice is easy if Wenger wishes to include both.
If he is to choose just one in centre forward however, Giroud’s goal scoring record is far superior to Welbeck’s. For that reason I would imagine he isn’t particularly bothered by Welbeck’s shining moment. The Frenchman is in sensational form at the moment, with 8 goals in his last 11 matches in all competitions, and so long as he continues to bang in the goals he should get into the team.
Giroud would have a real problem on his hands if Welbeck was more consistent in front of goal, as he would have a hard time stacking up in any department at that point. If Monday was anything to go by, and Welbeck is set to start racking up the goals, then we could be in for a real dogfight. As things stand however, Giroud is the more clinical finisher and still the go to man up front for me.
Let’s hope for Arsenal’s sake that Welbeck can produce the goods more consistently and really give Wenger something to think about. For now though, let’s just enjoy the moment.